Engineer Creates 3D-Printed Switch Peripherals For One-Handed Players

Inspired by a disabled Zelda fan, these peripherals allow Switch players to enjoy games with a single hand.

There's a set of new Nintendo Switch peripherals being made that are aimed at players with limited use of their hands -- or, more specifically, use of only one hand. Invented by engineer and gaming enthusiast Julio Vasquez, the new 3D-printed peripheral combines both Switch Joy-Cons into two different slim form factors that enable users to play Switch games with only one hand.

Vasquez has made two different versions of his Switch peripheral: the first places both Joy-Con controllers side-by-side, and includes a specially-designed lever that can trigger the Joy-Con's shoulder button from the other side of the grip. The second design is a bit more interesting: it places both Joy-Con controllers at right angles to one another, meaning a player can use their thumb on one side and still reach the other Joy-Con buttons with the rest of their fingers.

These peripherals were pointed out by AbleGamers, a charity that aims to help disabled players enjoy their hobby of choice. Vasquez's right-angle design in particular was inspired by a friend and Zelda fan that lost the ability to use their right hand. Here's what Vasquez had to say on the matter:

"This adapter was developed by request of my friend Rami Wehbe, who wanted a way to play Zelda: Breath of the wild using only his left hand," Vasquez said, "as he lost the ability to control his right hand due to a cerebrovascular accident. [Breath of the Wild] has a complex control scheme, and the shape of the included Joy-Con grip doesn't help at all. So, I decided to make a customized grip that would help in this situation."

Each of Vasquez's Switch peripherals were designed in such a way that users could print them out using common 3D printers. In addition, Vasquez has made the blueprints for both models freely available through his own Thingiverse webpage. Users wanting to check out his creations can also check out the original model as well as a newer variant that reduces the size of the angled adapter.

Thanks to efforts from people like Vasquez, even one-handed gamers can now enjoy many of the great titles we've featured on our list of the Best Nintendo Switch Games.